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Where Do the Utah Jazz Stand at the End of 2016?

Drew Mackay|
Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) reacts after missing a basket in the final seconds of the game with teammate center Rudy Gobert (27) against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) reacts after missing a basket in the final seconds of the game with teammate center Rudy Gobert (27) against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Jazz are fifth in the West and finally getting their injured players back on the court. From the preseason hype to now, where do they stand at the end of 2016?

Entering this year, the Utah Jazz were experiencing their highest level of preseason expectations since 2010 when Jerry Sloan manned the sidelines. With Sloan, Utah not only made the playoffs, they expected to win 50 games. The legendary coach had a career .603 winning percentage, which would be good for 49.5 wins every single year. Just incredible.

Recent years have been less successful, but Utah fans have understood the position the front office has been in during the rebuild.

Without the ability to tempt the top-level free agents to sign in Salt Lake City, Jazz brass has been forced to build through the draft. This has precluded the team from the 50-win campaigns and playoffs berths that had been the expectation. However, the patience of the organization and its fans is starting to pay off as 2016 comes to a close.

The success rate Utah has enjoyed with their draft picks is better than almost everyone else in the league. No one bats 1.000, but keep in mind Rudy Gobert was picked 27th and Rodney Hood was 23rd. Gobert has emerged as a potential All-Star this season, while Hood is one of the better shooting guards in the league right now.

The Jazz also got Trey Lyles at No. 12; he’s still young, but he’s clearly outplayed his draft position. While drafting is no exact science, Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey’s track record inspires a lot of confidence for the fanbase.

It’s a prime example of the deep history of success and solid front office performance the Jazz benefit from. Throw in a great head coach, and it’s no wonder Utah was primed for success this season. It’s a convergence of factors that wasn’t lost on the hoops press this summer. CBS.com rated Utah’s starting lineup fifth in the league, as well as having the best bench overall. I wrote about Zach Lowe predicting 50-plus wins after a meager 40 from last season.

But how has the team fared in the face of lofty expectations?

After 33 games, unfortunately, the grade is still incomplete. Utah has been one of the most injured teams in the league. Having to patch together more starting lineups that just two other teams, and still winning 20 of their games is highly commendable. However, the schedule has been light and some of the more recent performances have left more to be desired.

Here is the good news — the injured players are healing. Derrick Favors is getting his legs back. Gordon Hayward is sustaining his near All-NBA play. With all the injuries and illnesses (even Coach Snyder lost time) Utah is still a top team in the league.

The Utah Jazz stand out in several ways:

20-14 5th in the West (.606 winning percentage – on pace for 50 wins)

First in scoring defense – opponents points per game (95.0)

Fourth best defensive rating (104.3)

Ninth best offensive rating (109.0)

League-Leading Stats

Field Goal Pct Rudy Gobert UTA (.695)

2-Pt Field Goal Pct Rudy Gobert UTA (.698)

3-Pt Field Goal Pct Joe Ingles UTA (.479)

True Shooting Pct Rudy Gobert UTA (.707)

  • Effective Field Goal Pct Rudy Gobert UTA (.695)
  • Defensive Win Shares Rudy Gobert UTA (2.4)

    • Blocks Rudy Gobert UTA (85) second to Anthony Davis

    3 players with 20-plus PER

    With all that being said, the Jazz are not playing their best basketball right now. The ceiling has yet to be reached. Chemistry is something that takes time; the starters have had two games together now out of 33. It will come — Quin Snyder has established himself as one of the best coaches in the league and will put the right people in place to succeed.

    More from The J-Notes

    Looking forward to 2017, the only thing keeping Utah from their Goal is health. Even without their best pieces contributing consistently, Utah is a top 10 team in the league.

    The question now is how much better can they be?

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